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Saturday, March 15, 2014

Interview and #Giveaway with Debut Author Keisha Bass

Yep, you saw right. We've got a great new author and a great new giveaway to share with you today. :)

Howdy y'all! Crystal here, and I get to share with you a friend I met at the ACFW conference a few years back. Keisha Bass is such a sweet lady and a fellow Texan. I'm so happy to interview her today and let her share with you about her debut novel Permanent Resident at the Purse Table. Interesting title, right? :) Okay, let's get on with the interview so you can learn more about the story and how you can get a chance to win a copy today!

For those who haven't had the pleasure of meeting you, Keisha, tell us a bit about yourself.

I have been a teacher and coach for fifteen years, and currently teach P.E. and coach girls' volleyball and softball in Crowley, TX. I grew up in Houston, but have been in the DFW area ever since graduating from college in 1998. I love spending time with my family and friends, playing sports, singing and rapping, volunteering in my church's bookstore, and laughing all the time.

I know this is your debut novel. Congratulations! What is your story about?

Thank you!! Here is the back cover blurb...

If you’re size six, you dance. If you’re Ava Alexander, you watch the purses while your girlfriends dance. Each man that passes her by takes a little of her self-esteem. After escaping a mentally abusive relationship, she promises God she will wait on Him to bring her the right man. And she means it—Until Ishmael. When her best friend’s fiancé throws a few compliments her way, she travels down the path of betrayal. Ava’s choice strains her friendship and sends her into a depression.

Ava receives spiritual guidance from Dr. Glory Moses. Through God’s Word, there is a glimpse of hope for a restored friendship, and a newfound love for the woman she is. In addition, a man she meets at the counseling center offers her a glimpse of what could be if she lines up with God’s will for her life. Will Ava be able to overcome her insecurities and step into the life God plans for her, or will she continue to self-destruct?

Where did you get the inspiration for your story?

Permanent Resident at the Purse Table came about because I thought a lot about the girl who never gets asked to dance. Whether it be a poor self-esteem, poor self-image, self-doubt, or all of the above, we have to find our worth in the Lord and nothing else. Society or the world may shun you, but everyone needs to know that to God, we are cherished and special.

My main character, Ava, struggles believing this about herself, and when she receives attention from her best friend’s fiancé, she betrays her friendship. Having a poor self-image, can lead you to make bad choices to feel important or noticed. My novel explores this issue and the consequences that linger as a result of those choices.

Do you have a favorite scene in the book? If so, can you tell us a bit about it?

I have a couple of scenes that I love, but if I must pick one, I'd say a scene where there's an altercation between friends. I had to put myself in the scene as I wrote it which was fun. I literally acted parts of it out, so I could see the positions of everybody. It was a great help to act it out, but if anyone would have seen me, they probably would've thought I was crazy. (except for other writers who understand, of course :-)

What do you plan to work on next?

Right now, I am working on the final edits of my memoir of being delivered from drug addiction while teaching in the public school system. I am currently seeking an agent to represent that project and will have it professionally edited, and then plan to shop it around to agents and editors. God has brought me out of my pit and I want to share my testimony with the hopes of inspiring someone else to know they can be free from addiction as well if they'll lean on the Lord.

Where can readers connect with you?

Last but not least, apart from writing, what is your favorite creative outlet?

I would have to say rapping. I write raps for our school announcements and the kids get a big kick out of it. Their favorite is "No Bullies" which I rap for the entire month of October every year for National Bully Prevention month. I also rap for encouragement for the STAAR test and school procedures. It's a fun way to get our point across.

Wow! You're just a bundle of creativity and fun. :) I'm sure your students enjoy that.

Thanks so much for sharing with us today, Keisha. I hope your story touches many hearts and is a great success.

Okay, everyone, here's your chance! Keisha's generously agreed to giveaway one copy of Permanent Resident at the Purse Table to one commenter today. Leave a comment (with your email address included) and you'll be entered for a chance to win.

Hey Crystal! Thanks you so much for that amazing interview! The title is so unique and the book sounds great! The book sounds like it shows that everyone is special to god! What a great message! By the way my email is calla.gregg@gmail.com just so you know :)

Prize Rules

Winners will be announced in the day's comments or in the Weekly Wind-up post at the beginning of each week. All winners have one week to claim their prize by contacting us. Sorry, we only ship within the USA. Offer void where prohibited. Odds of winning vary due to the number of entrants.